If you are a regular reader of these weekly columns, you might have picked up on my call for vehicle and traffic laws to be set nationally, not by each state. There’s a lot to be said for “state’s rights,” but with such a mobile nation, VTL should be the same in every state. With the help of an internet search, this column will describe only a sample.
In New York state, passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing is illegal from either direction, even on divided highways. However, in New Jersey, you may pass by a school bus on the other side of a median, but you must slow to 10 mph.
While NYS has strict laws for DWI/DUI, states such as Arizona have mandatory jail time for the first offense, and some states treat first-time offenses as felonies rather than misdemeanors. Most states have a DWI limit of .08 BAC, but Utah has a .05 limit.
Permissible levels of window tinting vary significantly from state to state. Many a college student on spring vacation in Florida returns with window tinting installed there only to find out it’s in violation of New York’s law.
Signaling lane changes or turns also varies. In New York, drivers must signal lane changes and turns at least 100 feet in advance. In Indiana, the law requires signaling in “a reasonable time,” while it used to be defined as 200 feet prior to 2023.
Front license plates are not required in all states. Radar detectors are allowed in some states, but not in all. Motorcyclists are not required to wear helmets in New Hampshire.
Speed limits also vary considerably from state to state, with each area or municipality having its own maximum allowable speeds. In western states, it’s common to find rural freeway speed limits ranging from 70 to 80 mph, 85 mph in Texas. In eastern states, slightly lower limits of 65 to 70 mph are more prevalent.
Seat belt laws and laws for e-bikes and e-scooters also differ among states.
Although most states have complete bans on mobile phone use while driving, there are still some significant differences in mobile phone regulations across the 50 states. Some have exceptions, such as allowing the use of hands-free devices while driving. In Missouri, though, drivers are permitted to use mobile phones while driving, provided they’re over the age of 21.
Right turn on red is legally permitted in all 50 U.S. states after a complete stop, drivers have yielded to any oncoming traffic and pedestrians and that there’s no sign prohibiting it. While allowed nationwide since 1980, specific cities, New York City included, prohibit it, and many areas are restricting it due to safety concerns. In NYC, there are no signs stating drivers cannot turn right on a red light, but it is prohibited in the city unless a sign allows it.
In Quebec, RTOR is allowed throughout the province, but in Montreal, RTOR is not allowed on the island of Montreal. The only signage designating this restriction is on bridges and tunnels entering the city.
The takeaway from this column is not to remember the details of the few examples. Rather, you should be aware that when traveling in other states, or provinces, the laws can be different from what we’re used to in NYS.